Explore beach stories

Go with a plan. Come back with a story. Discover iconic recommendations, insights and experiences curated by Lonely Planet contributors.

Continent:

Europe Asia North America South America Australia & Pacific Africa Middle East Caribbean Central America Antarctica

Category:

Beaches Adventure Art & Culture Budget Couples Events Family Food & Drink Outdoors Road Trips Sustainable Travel Travel Advice

Results (1,322)

Hikers on Scorpion Canyon Loop trail on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park, California
1284840905
national, santa cruz, active, ca, channel islands, girl, green, guy, hike, hikers, loop, man, pacific, park, path, person, scenic, state, trail, trek, trekking, trip, vacation, west coast, woman

Jul 4, 202511 min read

Planning a trip to California's Channel Islands? Here's what you need to know

Maritime Landscape of the United States
873669938
Alki Point in Seattle - stock photo
Maritime Landscape of the United States
Alki Point Lighthouse near Alki Beach Park, Seattle. T.Girondel/Getty Images

Jul 4, 20258 min read

12 of Seattle's best beaches

Skyline Of Auckland During Golden Hour, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-06-10T19:01:52.000Z, User: rhylton_redventures, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: Lonely Planet, client: wip, other: Rhianydd Hylton

Jul 4, 20256 min read

What to know about New Zealand working holiday visas

1661715820

Jul 3, 20258 min read

10 of the best places to snorkel in the world

New Zealand, Putangirua Pinnacles are some of the most amazing rock formations known especialy for Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy (The Return of the King). License Type: media Download Time: 2022-02-11T12:53:20.000Z User: Is Editorial: No purchase_order:

Jul 2, 20255 min read

Discover where locals travel in New Zealand

Piraeus Greece
beautiful, blue, boat, church, greece, journey, natural, nature, nikon, piraeus, sea, seascape, tourism, travel, vacation, view, horizon, landscape, coast, shore, ocean, water, rocks, sunset

Jul 2, 20257 min read

The 10 best things to do in Piraeus, Greece

Lonely Planet Magazine, Issue 115, July 2018, Italy, Sicily, Rooftop, Valley, Steep
The Old Town of Ragusa Ibla with the Baroque Church of the Souls of the Purgatory in the centre..

Jul 1, 202510 min read

12 of Sicily’s top free things to do

Bay of Castries, St Lucia Island, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-01-30T12:34:37.000Z, User: clairenaylor, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: online editorial, client: St Lucia things to know, other: Claire Naylor

Jun 29, 20253 min read

Which island offers the best taste of Caribbean life?

Aerial panoramic image at sunrise off the coast over Hanalei Bay and pier on Hawaiian island of Kauai, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-03-18T00:09:57.000Z, User: katelyn.perry_lonelyplanet, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: wip, client: wip, other: Katelyn Perry

Jun 28, 20258 min read

Which of the Hawaiian Islands is best for you?

Marone, Lake Iseo. Aerial panoramic sunset view of Marone town surrounded by mountains and located in Iseo Lake, Brescia, Lombardy, Italy, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-06-23T16:58:15.000Z, User: adouglaslott59, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: Online editorial, client: Lago d'Iseo guide, other: Ann Douglas Lott

Jun 27, 20258 min read

Five reasons why Lago d’Iseo is the best Italian Lake

Dalt Villa - Ibiza Town - IBIZA
Lonely Planet Magazine, Issue 117, September 2018, Ibiza
The narrow streets and distinctive white apartments of Dalt Villa.

Jun 27, 20259 min read

16 of the best things to do in Ibiza

View of Nauset Light Beach at sunset, in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-06-06T17:01:20.000Z, User: adouglaslott59, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: online editorial, client: Article update: best beaches in Cape Cod, other: Ann Douglas Lott

Jun 26, 20256 min read

The 12 best beaches on Cape Cod

Red beach in Santorini island, Greece. Red volcanic cliffs and the blue sea. Summer landscape at sunny day
1976818188
rock, orange, mediterranean, aegean, red beach
Red Beach in Santorini

Jun 26, 20257 min read

8 of the best beaches in Santorini

Clock on the town hall tower and view of the Wawel castle, Krakow, Poland, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-06-23T20:13:00.000Z, User: LP_KBaxter, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: Lonely Planet, client: The best free things to do in Kraków, other: Kathleen Baxter

Jun 25, 20255 min read

The best free things to do in Kraków

View of the harbor, Livadi village and Sifnos island in the distance from Chora, Serifos island in Greece.
902612974
mediterranean, aegean, cyclades, chora, greek, cycladic, countryside, rural, livadi, traditional

Jun 25, 20257 min read

A first-time guide to Serifos, Greece

Colorful houses lined up on the beach. Little Corn Island, Nicaragua. May 2025.

Jun 22, 20255 min read

Nicaragua's 7 most remarkable beaches

Sayulita, Mexico - September 16, 2021 - candid photography of a street vendor and people on Sayulita Beach, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-06-04T19:40:46.000Z, User: Sarahstocking, Editorial: true, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: Digital, client: First time guide Riviera Nayarit, other: Sarah Stocking

Jun 22, 20259 min read

A first-time guide to the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

Split illuminated at night.

Jun 21, 20257 min read

11 of the best things to do in Split, Croatia

Bay of Castries, St Lucia Island, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-01-30T12:34:37.000Z, User: clairenaylor, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: online editorial, client: St Lucia things to know, other: Claire Naylor

Jun 20, 202512 min read

7 of the Caribbean's most beautiful islands

Vis, Croatia - August, 15, 2021: Stiniva a natural hidden beach in the Summer day with people sunbathing behind two large cliffs, with blue sea anbd sky, and lush vegetation in the gorge behind, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-06-17T19:37:42.000Z, User: Sarahstocking, Editorial: true, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: Digital, client: First time guide to Vis, other: Sarah Stocking

Jun 20, 20258 min read

First-time guide to Vis, Croatia

Aerial view of Knysna Heads in Knysna, Garden Route, South Africa, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-05-16T21:11:11.000Z, User: dogutierrez_redventures, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65020 - Marketing or Sales - this includes sponsored articles, job: Elsewhere, client: Elsewhere, other: Dory G

Jun 20, 20255 min read

3 ways to travel like a local in South Africa

Beautiful small hut at Ko Mak Thailand, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-04-16T00:08:25.000Z, User: claramonitto, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 56530 - Guidebooks, job: Global Publishing-WIP, client: Southeast Asia 20, other: Clara Monitto

Jun 19, 20257 min read

A guide to Thailand: ethical escapes that are off the tourist path

Bozcaada, Turkey - October 21, 2016 : Bozcaada marina view. Bozcaada is populer tourist attraction in Aegean Sea., License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-06-18T17:51:16.000Z, User: sashabrady26, Editorial: true, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: Lonely Planet, client: Where Locals Go Turkey, other: Sasha Brady

Jun 19, 20254 min read

3 places in Türkiye where locals go on their vacations

Straight down view of kayakers in the Yasawa Islands, a chain of ancient volcanic islands located northwest of the Fiji mainland, renowned for scuba diving and snorkelling
1797826187

Jun 18, 20257 min read

The most epic South Pacific diving spots

VAMA VECHE,CONSTANTA,ROMANIA-AUGUST 2018.Vama Veche beach,a non-mainstream tourist destination on the Black Sea coast, near the border with Bulgaria,popular destination for tourists from entire world. License Type: media Download Time: 2024-04-30T14:32:02.000Z User: hannahblackie10 Is Editorial: Yes purchase_order:

Jun 17, 20255 min read

The 8 best beaches in Romania

Formentera, Spain: 2021 July 05: People in the Levante beach in Formentera, Spain in summer 2021., License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-06-16T09:40:32.000Z, User: sashabrady26, Editorial: true, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: Lonely Planet, client: A first-time guide to Formentera, other: Sasha Brady

Jun 17, 20259 min read

A first-time guide to Formentera

View of Cannon Beach from Ecola State Park Lookout in Tillamook along the Oregon Coast, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-01-23T21:24:07.000Z, User: adouglaslott59, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: future digital articles, client: future digital articles, other: Ann Douglas Lott

Jun 17, 20255 min read

The best beaches on the US West Coast

Byron Bay, NSW, Australia - Jan 23, 2022: Picturesque lookout at the beach with a car passing by in the foreground License Type: media Download Time: 2024-04-17T01:23:35.000Z User: claramonitto Is Editorial: Yes purchase_order:

Jun 16, 202521 min read

Discover 25 of the world's best beaches

View of slate shingle roofs of a cabins at Oceanside, California, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-06-13T17:26:55.000Z, User: adouglaslott59, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: Online editorial, client: Ultimate weekend in Oceanside, CA, other: Ann Douglas Lott

Jun 15, 20257 min read

A weekend in Oceanside, California, can mean more than beaches

Luxor's Karnak Temple or a camel ride in the Sahara

Jun 14, 20256 min read

Morocco vs Egypt: which north African country should you visit?

The stairs at Seacliff State Beach provide access to the sandy shoreline from the bluff above. These stairs, although functional, are susceptible to erosion and damage from coastal storms. Maintenance and reinforcement efforts are often necessary to ensure safe access for visitors to the beach.
2024650676
Wooden stairs leading down to Seacliff State Beach in California

Jun 13, 20259 min read

The 11 best beaches in California, from dog-friendly shores to surfing paradise

Los Angeles/California/USA - 2018: Lifeguard tower on the beach Venice Beach, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-01-17T21:55:37.000Z, User: adouglaslott59, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: future digital articles, client: future digital articles, other: Ann Douglas Lott

Jun 13, 202518 min read

The 23 best beaches in the USA

Sun sets illunimating sandy cliffs of Moshup Beach in Aquinnah, on Martha’s Vineyard island, in Massachusetts. It is a favorite attraction for tourists looking for a spiritual connection., License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-01-28T16:39:19.000Z, User: katelyn.perry_lonelyplanet, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: Lonely Planet WiP, client: Lonely Planet WiP, other: KP

Jun 12, 20259 min read

New Yorkers share their favorite quick but transportive getaways

Fishing boats on beach in Cadaques white village, Costa Brava, Spain
1423992005
architecture, bay, beach, beautiful, blue, boat, brava, building, cadaques, catalonia, church, city, coast, coastline, costa, destination, europe, famous, fishing, holiday, house, island, landmark, landscape, majorca, marina, mediterranean, nature, old, port, promenade, restaurant, scenic, sea, seascape, seaside, ship, spain, spanish, street, summer, tourism, tourist, town, travel, vacation, view, village, water, white

Jun 12, 20257 min read

Where locals go: unexpected vacation spots in Spain

Three Cliffs Bay, Gower, Wales, Swansea, UK, License Type: media, Download Time: 2024-12-19T20:33:41.000Z, User: aniabartoszek, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 56530 - Guidebooks, job: Global Publishing-WIP, client: Wales 8, other: Ania Lenihan

Jun 11, 20259 min read

Take a 3-day tour of Wales’ gorgeous Gower Peninsula

649782836
Sveti Stefan beach and island on the Adriatic sea, Montenegro - stock photo

Jun 11, 20258 min read

The 11 best beaches in tiny but mighty Montenegro

Traditional village of Thira at Santorini island in Greece License Type: media Download Time: 2023-01-11T03:22:14.000Z User: aomi.ito_lonelyplanet Is Editorial: No purchase_order:

Jun 6, 20256 min read

How to enjoy Santorini on a budget

Barolo, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy - May 5, 2019: Man on a horse rides among Barolo vineyards with La Morra village on the hill. Trekking pathway. Viticulture, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy, Unesco heritage License Type: media Download Time: 2023-07-18T16:13:39.000Z User: FergalCo Is Editorial: Yes purchase_order:
Animal, Countryside, Horse, Mammal, Nature, Outdoors, Person, Rural
Langhe, Piedmont, Italy -: Man on a horse rides among Barolo vineyards with La Morra village on the hill

Jun 6, 20257 min read

These 6 day trips from Turin showcase the best of northwest Italy

1436041067
Costa Brava seaside town Calella de Palafrugell in Girona Province, Catalonia. Spain - stock photo
Panoramic view of Calella de Palafrugell old village in a summer morning with a blue sea and sky with a lot of little boats parked in front. Costa Brava, Girona province, Catalonia. Spain

Jun 5, 20257 min read

How to plan a summer trip to the Costa Brava

Sea lions on cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, in La Jolla, California., License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-01-27T19:42:23.000Z, User: adouglaslott59, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: future digital articles, client: future digital articles, other: Ann Douglas Lott

Jun 5, 20258 min read

A guide to La Jolla, San Diego

View of Liathach and Loch Clair, Glen Torridon, Scotland.

Jun 4, 202512 min read

Scotland itinerary: Explore the wild West Coast on this 6-day driving tour

The Old port below Fira where the only way up and down to the town is the donkeys, the cable car or to walk.
149070399
Aegean Sea, Anchored, Cave, Cyclades Islands, Fira, Greece, Greek Islands, Harbor, Island, Nautical Vessel, Old Port, Recreational Boat, Santorini, Sea, Water

May 29, 202510 min read

The 12 best places to visit in Santorini

DFWB, Destin, Emerald Coast, Florida, Gulf Coast, bayou, beach, creek, sand dunes, tech scout, tourism
Courtesy photos from Destin-Fort Walton Beach tourism
Article: Plan your summer vacation to Destin-Fort Walton, FL

May 28, 20259 min read

Plan your summer vacation to Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida

ZAKYNTHOS, GREECE - 18 june 2019 - Small beach Xigia on Greek island Zakynthos (Ionian Island), License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-02-07T16:47:26.000Z, User: rhylton_redventures, Editorial: true, purchase_order: 65030 - Newsletter, job: Lonely Planet WIP, client: Lonely Planet WIP, other: Rhianydd Hylton

May 28, 20257 min read

A first-time guide to Zakynthos

KATAKOLON (OLYMPIA), GREECE- JUNE10: Unidentified tourists visiting ruin of Olympia; the birth place of Olympic games in Katakolon, Greece on June 10, 2015. , License Type: media, Download Time: 2024-11-26T02:38:16.000Z, User: mvm_lonelyplanet, Editorial: true, purchase_order: 56530 - Guidebooks, job: Global Publishing-WIP, client: Greece 17, other: Virginia Moreno

May 28, 20258 min read

A first-time guide to the Peloponnese

1420990532
adult, alone, architecture, art, asia, asian, attraction, attractive, beautiful, buddhism, building, culture, decoration, destination, environment, famous, female, girl, holiday, iconic, impressive, laos, luang prabang, museum, old, outdoor, palace, people, person, place, popular, portrait, relax, religion, road, royal, street, temple, tourism, tourist, traditional, travel, unesco, vacation, visitor, walking, wall, woman, world heritage site, young

May 27, 20258 min read

8 of the best places in Asia for women traveling solo

Yongoro, Sierra Leone - June 03, 2013: West Africa, the beaches of Yongoro in front of Freetown
459659992
country,woman,nation,palm,sierra,rural,developing,scenery,life,scene,bank,society,world,poor,men,west,ebola,africa,development,natural,nature,fishing,shore,leone,people,water,boat,clothes,transportation,environment,washing,port,african,culture,fishermen,clothing,boating,travel,landscape
West Africa, the beaches of Yongoro in front of Freetown

May 23, 20258 min read

9 things you’ll want to do in Sierra Leone

A suspension bridge spans the emerald waters of the Soca River in Slovenia, aerial view. This spot is a favored destination for kayaking and trekking in Slovenia., License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-02-24T21:44:35.000Z, User: rhylton_redventures, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 56530 - Guidebooks, job: Lonely Planet WIP, client: Lonely Planet WIP, other: Rhianydd Hylton

May 23, 202513 min read

13 unexpected summer holiday spots in Europe

Beautiful beach and boat in Paleokastritsa, Corfu island, Greece License Type: media Download Time: 2022-06-10T14:39:08.000Z User: BBuckner_lonelyplanet Is Editorial: No purchase_order:

May 22, 20258 min read

14 of the most glorious beaches in Greece

Take in some of Brittany's majestic coastline at Pointe du Pen-Hir on Crozon's peninsula or indulge in the picturesque Mont Sainte Michel in Normandy.

May 21, 20257 min read

Brittany vs Normandy: which region in the west of France wins?

Pool in the Atlantic ocean. Caloura. Sao Miguel. Azores. portugal. Horizontal, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-02-19T22:06:33.000Z, User: rhylton_redventures, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 56530 - Guidebooks, job: Lonely Planet WIP, client: Lonely Planet WIP, other: Rhianydd Hylton

May 21, 202512 min read

15 top things to do in the Azores

Hua Hin train station in Thailand 10 September 2022. passengers waiting for the train , License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-05-13T17:10:47.000Z, User: Malecia.Elamin_Lonelyplanet, Editorial: true, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: Lonely Planet Digital, client: Best Beaches by train from Bangkok, other: Malecia Walker

May 20, 20255 min read

7 train trips from Bangkok that will get you to beaches

New York, United States - September 2021: Coney Island boardwalk of the iconic amusement park Wonder Wheel. The beach and the amusement park at Coney Island in New York City, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-05-16T17:55:39.000Z, User: adouglaslott59, Editorial: true, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: online editorial, client: Coney Island FTG, other: Ann Douglas Lott

May 19, 20257 min read

A first-time guide to Coney Island

Head to Aling Aling Waterfall in Northern Bali, or explore Phang Nga bay by boat.

May 19, 20257 min read

Phuket vs Bali: how to choose between these two divine islands

Beautiful summer scenery of Wuzhizhou Island in Sanya, Hainan, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-05-15T19:15:41.000Z, User: Malecia.Elamin_Lonelyplanet, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: Lonely Planet Digital, client: Best Beaches in China, other: Malecia Walker

May 17, 20255 min read

The best beaches in China

Sunset at Lake Awosting, Minnewaska State Park. New York

May 13, 20258 min read

The Catskill's best swimming holes and lakes for a summer dip

Palm Vai Beach, Crete, Greece - beautiful drone aerial view of palm forest, blue water, sky and sun shelters
2290110023
aerial, beach, beauty, blue, coast, coastline, coconut, crete, drone, exotic, famous, greece, green, holiday, island, lagoon, landscape, leaf, mediterranean, nature, ocean, outdoor, palm, paradise, park, relaxation, rock, rocky, romantic, sand, scenery, sea, seascape, sky, summer, sun, sunlight, swim, tourism, travel, tree, tropical, turquoise, vacation, vai, view, water, palm beach, reflected light, vai beach, Coast, Nature, Outdoors, Person, Promontory, Sea, Shoreline, Summer, Water
Palm Vai Beach, Crete, Greece - beautiful drone aerial view of palm forest, blue water, sky and sun shelters,

May 13, 20257 min read

8 stupendous beaches in Crete

View of the Cabo da Roca lighthouse. Sintra, Portugal. Cape Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe. Beautiful sunrise at the coast near Lisbon. , License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-05-13T11:36:19.000Z, User: clairenaylor, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: Online editorial, client: Portugal nature parks, other: Claire Naylor

May 13, 202512 min read

12 of the best national parks and nature reserves in Portugal

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, USA: Vast tropical 35 acre estate of the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, on the National Registry of Historic Places, as seen on February 21, 2021., License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-05-06T18:19:29.000Z, User: LP_KBaxter, Editorial: true, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: Lonely Planet, client: 5 incredible day trips from Miami, other: Kathleen Baxter

May 9, 20256 min read

The best day trips from Miami

Belfry of orthodox church in Oia village, Santorini, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-01-30T21:21:24.000Z, User: rhylton_redventures, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 56530 - Guidebooks, job: Lonely Planet WIP, client: Lonely Planet WIP, other: Rhianydd Hylton

May 7, 202513 min read

The 12 best Greek islands to visit in 2025

1
...
4
5
6
...
23

Explore More

Explore

Attractions

Explore

Destinations

Shop

Books